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Original poster

To ask of you work from home...

29 replies

LMW1990 · 09/12/2018 09:19

What do you wear and what routines do you have in place to keep focused?

I'm about to start a great contract. My client/ employer are London based. I'm up north.

I never really know how to dress as daft as it sounds. I don't want to get into being slobby but at the same time would like to take advantage of the fact I can be comfortable and don't have to spend 30 minutes getting ready!

I'll be working pretty much 9-5. Any tips for keeping focused whilst at home? Obviously I don't have the TV on etc and I have a dedicated workspace.

TIA

OP posts:
steff13 · 09/12/2018 09:21

Generally, I wear shorts and a t-shirt. I don't usually have terrible focusing. I still at my desk, turn on a podcast, and work.

Sexnotgender · 09/12/2018 09:22

Days I work from home I shower and put clean pyjamas or leggings on.

I’m very pregnant though and these are super comfy.

Pachyderm1 · 09/12/2018 09:22

Definitely shower and get dressed every day - no need to be fancy, but you will feel like a slob if you don’t at least do that. And give yourself a timetable for when you take breaks etc. You will get used to it, but structure helps. I only WFH occasionally tho so not sure about long term planning!

ElainaElephant · 09/12/2018 09:23

It varies. I know someone that worked in pyjamas, my ex boss used to get a suit and tie on.

yellowtipped · 09/12/2018 09:24

I just wear casual clothes. Jeans, jumper etc. If I have a video call I'll glam up my top half but my boss and colleagues are pretty relaxed. I work in fashion as well so when I go to the office or out speaking to people on behalf of the company I ramp it up, but still wear a lot of jeans etc.

Ilikeviognier · 09/12/2018 09:24

I just wear jeans and jumper. I have the radio on very low just as background, but definitely not the tv.

Tbh I get more done at home than when in the office as I don’t get disturbed as much by people asking for things. It’s easier to focus I think. You’ll get used to it if you’ve not done it before.

JacquesHammer · 09/12/2018 09:24

Anything I want Grin

Seriously it depends whether DD has been with me and therefore there’s a school run to consider or not.

I’m strict about ensuring I have lunch away from my desk but equally strict about not getting sucked into “oh I’ll just put some washing on” etc

Hoppinggreen · 09/12/2018 09:25

Congrats on the new contract
One thing to mention is other people’s expectations of your time now that you are working from home
I don’t know your domestic situation but friends and family might assume that you are available during the day so you will need to be very clear that you arent

confusedandemployed · 09/12/2018 09:25

I work out before I start then shower and get dressed, usually jeans and lots of layers - I'm too stingy to put the heating on before 3! Easy to focus because I have to appear online and my job is entirely reactive, so I respond when queries come in either online or by phone.

HumptyNumptyNooNoo · 09/12/2018 09:26

Really ???
I dress for the office even if I work from home incase I get a video call at any point. Hair neat and lippy on etc etc . Makes me feel in the right headspace too.

Parker231 · 09/12/2018 09:26

I work from home regularly. I wear jeans/T-shirt. I go into the home office in our basement and put the radio on. Other than coming out to get a coffee or lunch and toilet breaks, I’m there all day. Sometimes DH also works from home, he has a separate office as working in the same space didn’t work!

Tonicandginn · 09/12/2018 09:26

I always do the first hour or so from bed Blush so PJs... I do start at 6:30/7 though.

Then I will get up and go to the gym for an hour, come back and shower and put on leggings and a comfy top/jumper. Wash face and moisture but no makeup.

My work is very flexible so I try to take a few breaks like going to the gym Or to Tesco so I don’t feel cooped up. I always do my hours or over though, as without the commute I can start earlier and finish later.

I also use it to do a few laundry loads so don’t have to worry about it on the weekend.

MirandaWest · 09/12/2018 09:27

I work full time from home. Generally get dressed but sometimes give myself a treat and work in my pyjamas. I work from 8 until 4 with 30 min lunch break at 1. I have toilet breaks etc but apart from that I’m working.

Junkmail · 09/12/2018 10:57

I don’t do the kind of job where I would be receiving video calls so I just wear leggings and a sweater—regular clothes but it’s whatever you’re comfortable in. If you’re more likely to stay focussed in work clothes then put work clothes on.

For staying on task it’s not really an issue as long as you set yourself a non-negotiable start and end time and schedule breaks as you would if you were working in an office. I also have a dedicated office room in my house so that I can’t be disturbed which helps a lot.

LanceStatersGold · 09/12/2018 11:14

I go for comfort - often ‘nice’ joggers or yoga pants and a comfy tee or jumper.

I always do my hair and makeup though so that I feel ‘camera ready’ in case I suddenly have to do a call or an opportunity to do some social media stuff presents itself.

If I know I’m having a non client day (eg accounts or pr/content planning etc) I may allow myself my ‘day’ pyjamas.

Morning routines help me too - I like
to get housework and exercise out of the way so that they don’t play on my mind all day. It’s the biggest source of procrastination for me if I know there’s a load of laundry that needs to go on or somewhere needs vacuuming!

Absentwomen · 09/12/2018 11:32

I work from home. Full time.

If I have video calls, I make sure I look like I'm working from the office.

What I have found is that I treat my work days as if I were going to the office.

I am up at 6.30am, shower, dress, diary management. Coffee breaks are at the same time. Walk the dog at lunchtime. Finish my day at 5pm.

WFH is hard at the start. I have done if for 10 years now. I have to be logged into our system during work hours. We have trackers for that. If off sick then have to report as normal.

OP, youll get used to it. Just treat as a day at the office. I'd definitely recommend getting dressed in what makes you feel comfy and acceptable to you.

CherryPavlova · 09/12/2018 11:39

My ‘at home days’ I generally start emails and calls in my nightwear but don’t use Skype video. Then dog walking gear after my shower.

Focus? Never had a problem. I get irritated if I’m distracted by my husband and it’s usually not stopping that’s the issue. I do brush hair or put it up for video conferencing.
My colleagues vary enormously in choice of clothes. Onesies are popular, apparently.

knittingdad · 09/12/2018 11:39

I have found it a lot easier since I started waking up earlier so I could go outside for a walk/cycle before starting work. Especially with it being dark when I finish work now it helps to make it feel like I'm not trapped in the house.

I knit during group Skype calls that I don't have to talk much in. This helps me to concentrate on what people are saying, rather than be distracted by thoughts of household chores.

It's also easier if there are no dirty dishes in the kitchen, as it can be a temptation.

Gingerninj · 09/12/2018 11:45

I work from home but i also have 2 year old DD with me a lot of the time which can be difficult at times. On days i have to take my other two DC to school I'll put on jeans and a top and then change into leggings once i get home. I put on a bit of makeup everyday as it helps me feel more awake. I put on some music in the background which keeps DD entertained along with lots of toys

Amaaboutthis · 09/12/2018 11:49

I work from home one day a week. Jeans and a top with hair and mKe up done. Even if I have no meetings invariably someone will ask for a quick video call

buttybuttychristmastree · 09/12/2018 11:56

I always get up and do my hair and a little bit of make up.

I wear jeans/thick leggings, hoodie.

I've Been known, in the depths of winter, to wear a soppy hat and dressing gown over the top of my clothes Smile

As for routine, you will definitely slide into your own way of making it work. Greasy air every day if poss.

AnchorDownDeepBreath · 09/12/2018 11:57

What I have found is that I treat my work days as if I were going to the office.

This. I'm much more productive dressed and focused, you have to act like you're still at work.

That doesn't mean heels and pencil dresses though - smart casual is fine.

Means there is still some difference to your wardrobe, too!

babysharkah · 09/12/2018 12:00

I don't wear office clothes but I do put on something presentable, have to do it for school run anyway and it never crossed my mind not to tbh.

TeddyIsaHe · 09/12/2018 12:07

I get up and dressed as if I’m going to the office, take dd to nursery and then back home to work. It took a while for me to not get distracted by household stuff, but I found getting dressed for work really helped with that.

DoJo · 09/12/2018 13:37

Ha ha- it seems I'm in the minority in working in my pyjamas almost exclusively and falling to keep office hours except on very rare occasions, but I'm a freelancer so don't have to answer to an employer and never have people video calling or expecting to even speak to me most of the time!

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